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The flower shop owner recognized the phone number immediately, as it was one of their regular customers.
"Ah, good morning, Minho-ssi! What kind of daisies today?" The lively young woman asked cheerfully.
The first time Minho visited the shop was the early days of Stray Kids. Walking by one day after work. He didn't buy anything, just went inside and looked at the wide variety of flowers available. The building gave off an atmosphere similar to that of a greenhouse, with windchimes hanging outside the shop for their actual purpose, and some hanging inside for decoration. A sapphire colored glass hummingbird windchime caught his eye, finding it especially beautiful.
"Welcome! Is there anything I can help you with?" A man asked, approaching while carrying a vase arranged with a mix of flowers that were different shades of oranges and purples, setting it down on the display shelf.
Putting up a hand, Minho kindly shook his head 'no'. "No, thank you. I'm just looking." His shy smile grew on his face as he did a small bow.
When Minho returned to the dorm only twenty minutes later, he called the shop and ordered a small bouquet of daisies to be delivered. It was less risky that way.
A couple of months later, in September, Minho called again. A simple vase of specifically nineteen daisies was his order. (Each year in September the number would increase by one.) The shop owner asked if he wanted a note included. Minho decided yes, asking for a simple 'happy birthday' message. When the florist asked who to address it to, Minho blushed on the other side of the line. "Ah, just put 'jagi', please."
Perhaps due to his older age, the shop owner viewed the gesture as strange, and felt he should say something. "That's a bit impersonal, are you sure?"
A small laugh left Minho, realizing that the florist had no idea who he must be and the dangers of putting any name on the card. "I'm sure. 'Jagi' is perfect."
Only a month later, on a day with nice weather, Minho entered the flower shop with Jisung following, the ting of the door windchime giving notice of their arrival. They had been out for a walk. Their day thus far had consisted of a filling lunch at a new restaurant that just opened, and stopping at a small Cafe after, grabbing a coffee and continuing on their walk.
"Welcome! Ah, you again! Is there anything I can help you with?" The shop owner asked happily from behind the counter, spraying a small plant with some water.
Minho walked toward the counter, already pulling out his wallet. "Hello. I was going to see about ordering a bouquet of daisies-"
"Ah! You must be Lee Minho!" The old man lit up with joy, turning to face Minho, which brought his name tag into view. Joon Ha.
Chuckling, Minho nodded. "Yes." He answered, before glancing over to see Jisung smelling a bunch of flowers on the other side of the shop. His eyes were sparkling, and a smile grew across his face. "What are those?" Minho asked to Jisung .
"Cosmos." Jisung simply replied, setting them back in their water.
"Are they nice?" Minho asked with a sweet tone, despite trying to reel it in.
Grabbing a petal of a cosmo between his thumb and index finger, caressing the soft texture, Jisung nodded. "They're really pretty."
"They'd go together nicely with daisies." The florist offered, laying out the paper to begin on the bouquet.
Nodding, "Can I get a bouquet of cosmos and daisies delivered to the same address as before?" Minho requested, handing over his credit card.
Wearing a proud smile from a successful upsell, Joon Ha cut some ribbon off the roll. "Of course. Would you like a note?"
Shaking his head, "No, they'll know it's from me." Minho smirked.
It became a consistent order of daisies to be delivered, about every two weeks. Most
times Minho
would call to place the order, but sometimes he would pop into the shop if he was passing by it. This went on for years.
Right before Stray Kids were to fly to Australia for their tour, Minho called to place an order, but added in roses for that specific bouquet.
After writing down all the details that Minho wanted, Joon Ha asked, "This one seems extra special. Would you like a note, Minho-ssi?"
"Uh-" Minho paused, thinking if there was any way he could say something without it being too revealing. "As long as I'm alive, I'll buy you flowers." It was a promise of his forever with the recipient.
"Still for 'jagi'?" Joon Ha asked, as Minho had remained very private up until then.
"Yes, please."
Joon Ha hummed. "One day I hope to meet the lucky woman."
On the other side of the line, a knowing smile grew on Minho's lips.
Time seemed to fly by. Many more orders of daisies were placed and delivered over the years. And somehow, the day had arrived.
Minho would be damned if he didn't make sure it was absolutely perfect, down to the fucking flowers. The table centerpieces, the aisle petals, the flowers that adorned the tuxedos. It was the biggest order of his yet. Cosmos and daisies. And along with the order was the invitation for Joon Ha and his family.
After that day, Joon Ha knew the name to write on the notes. The face to the 'jagi'. So every two weeks, he happily made the requested bouquet. Until he passed away. And the shop was passed to his daughter, Chun Hwa. She ran the shop with just as much love as her father, making Minho's bi-weekly bouquets with the same joy for the years to come.
"Ah, good morning, Minho-ssi! What kind of daisies today?" Chun Hwa asked cheerfully.
"Uhm," Minho swallowed, feeling the lump in his throat and the paper thin will to not cry, "I need to order all the daisies you have."
"Oh my! What's the special occasion?" Chun Hwa still had her bright tone, obviously not hearing Minho's somber one.
Gripping onto the phone tightly, Minho tried to hold it together, but he knew the moment the words formed on his tongue that he would fall apart. "A funeral. I need them for the casket." And the will crumbled, sobs ensuing.
There was the sound of glass shattering on the other side of the line before it went silent, Chun Hwa's heart sinking, dropping a vase. "Minho, I'm so sorry."
They bawled together for the remainder of the call. It was the hardest order yet. Minho knew the day would come inevitably, but he didn't think it'd be so soon. So soon. Being fifty four years later. It would never have been enough time. Fuck cancer.
The frequency of Minho's order changed completely. Instead of a bouquet every two weeks, he would walk into the shop every day and buy a single daisy. He would take it to the grave, sitting for a few hours on the spot next to it. The spot was empty with a sign that stated it was reserved.
Two years later, a week after Minho's last cat Deiji passed away, Changbin called the flower shop, ordering cosmos for a casket, and a blend of cosmos and daisies to lay across the side by side graves.